The British Union Flag (Union Jack) since 1801 In 1801, the Cross of St. Patrick was added to the flag when Ireland joined the Union. This cross was placed within the Cross of St. Andrew. While Ireland's south broke away from the Union in 1921, the flag remains the same. The 1801 Union Flag, popularly known as the Union Jack, was introduced by Royal Proclamation, as a royal banner to be "displayed on all His Majesty's Forts and Castles, and also on board all His Majesty's Ships of War."
No law has ever been passed making the Union Flag the national flag of the United Kingdom: it has become one through usage. The Union Jack may have began as a royal standard, but is today recognized as the "de facto" national flag of the United Kingdom by all its citizens.
Image by Clay Moss
The British national anthem
The British National Anthem dates back to the eighteenth century.
'God Save The King' was a patriotic song first publicly performed in London in 1745, which came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The words and tune are anonymous, and may date back to the seventeenth century.
In September 1745 the 'Young Pretender' to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, defeated the army of King George II at Prestonpans, near Edinburgh.
In a fit of patriotic fervour after news of Prestonpans had reached London, the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, arranged 'God Save The King' for performance after a play. It was a tremendous success and was repeated nightly.
This practice soon spread to other theatres, and the custom of greeting monarchs with the song as he or she entered a place of public entertainment was thus established.
There is no authorised version of the National Anthem as the words are a matter of tradition. Additional verses have been added down the years, but these are rarely used.
The words used today are those sung in 1745, substituting 'Queen' for 'King' where appropriate. On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.
Geography
England is the largest of the three political divisions within the island of Great Britain. Bound by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, England is no more than 29km from France across the narrowest part of the English Channel. Much of England is flat or low-lying. In the north there is a range of limestone hills, known as the Pennines, to the west are the Cumbrian Mountains and the Lake District.
The red deer is the largest mammal in England, and there are plenty of them (as well as fallow and roe deer) around. Foxes prosper, and if you're lucky you may see a badger or a hedgehog. Non-native American grey squirrels are forcing out the smaller local red variety. Rabbits are everywhere, while smaller rodents such as the shrew, harvest mouse and water vole are less common (but frightfully cute). England's only poisonous snake, the adder, is rare and protected. Birdwatching is a popular pastime in Britain, but while the numbers and diversity of coastal bird species do not appear to be in danger, the same cannot be said for other British birds - a number of species that were quite common only 25 years ago are rapidly dwindling because of habitat destruction.
England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the south-east and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time. View the website See photos here
Religion
The official religion of England is Christianity, as practised by the Church of England (Anglican).
The Church in Wales is also Anglican.
In Scotland the official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Other Christians in each country also include the Roman Catholics and the Methodists.
Britain is a multi faith society in which everyone has the right to religious freedom. Although Britain is historically a Christian society, people are usually very tolerant towards the faiths of others and those who have no religious beliefs.
The main religion in Britain is Christianity Most Christians belong to the Church of England or the Church of Scotland. These are Protestant Churches. There are also many Roman Catholics.
SportsMany of the world's famous sports began in Britain, including cricket, football, lawn tennis, golf and rugby.
England's national sport is cricket although to many people football is seen as the national sport. Football is the most popular sport. Some of England's football teams are famous worldwide, the most famous being Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Cricket
Cricket is played on village greens and in towns/cities.The rules of cricket became the responsibility, in the 18th century, of the Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC), based at Lord’s cricket ground in north London.
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in England, and has been played for hundreds of years.In the English Football League there are 92 clubs. These are semi-professional, so most players have other full-time jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people also play football in parks and playgrounds just for fun.The highlight of the English football year is the FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May
Rugby originated from Rugby school in Warwickshire. It is similar to football, but played with an oval ball. The best rugby teams compete in the SuperLeague final each September. For many years rugby was only played by the rich upper classes, but now it is popular all over the country. There are two different types of rugby - Rugby League, played mainly in the north of England, and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, together with France and Italy, play in an annual tournament called Six Nations. American Football derived from the game of rugby whereas baseball derived from the old English game of Rounders.
Tennisis also an important sport in England. Henry VIII of England was a big fan of this game.In England is also played an important tennis tournament wich is called Wimbledom.The first was played in 1877.
London houses important landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, the British Museum , National Gallery and Madame Tussauds Museum.
In Birmingham major attractions are Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Cadbury World, Midlands Arts Center and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
While visiting Manchester see Printworks Leisure Complex and Manchester Velodrome.
Coventry also provides a number of tourist attractions like Coventry Cathedral, Coventry Transport Museum, St. Mary's Hall, Holy Trinity Church and the Herbert Art Gallery.
In Liverpool, City Center is the hub of all cultural activities and houses major attractions. The World Museum Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and the
Metropolitan Cathedral are also quite popular.
York is a walled city,with a defensive wall, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The city offers a wealth of historic attractions, of which York Minster is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural and sporting activities.
London
crossing over tower bridge london england full hd free wallpaper
The British Union Flag (Union Jack) since 1801
In 1801, the Cross of St. Patrick was added to the flag when Ireland joined the Union. This cross was placed within the Cross of St. Andrew. While Ireland's south broke away from the Union in 1921, the flag remains the same. The 1801 Union Flag, popularly known as the Union Jack, was introduced by Royal Proclamation, as a royal banner to be "displayed on all His Majesty's Forts and Castles, and also on board all His Majesty's Ships of War."
No law has ever been passed making the Union Flag the national flag of the United Kingdom: it has become one through usage. The Union Jack may have began as a royal standard, but is today recognized as the "de facto" national flag of the United Kingdom by all its citizens.
The British national anthem
The British National Anthem dates back to the eighteenth century.
'God Save The King' was a patriotic song first publicly performed in London in 1745, which came to be known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The words and tune are anonymous, and may date back to the seventeenth century.
In September 1745 the 'Young Pretender' to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, defeated the army of King George II at Prestonpans, near Edinburgh.
In a fit of patriotic fervour after news of Prestonpans had reached London, the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, arranged 'God Save The King' for performance after a play. It was a tremendous success and was repeated nightly.
This practice soon spread to other theatres, and the custom of greeting monarchs with the song as he or she entered a place of public entertainment was thus established.
There is no authorised version of the National Anthem as the words are a matter of tradition. Additional verses have been added down the years, but these are rarely used.
The words used today are those sung in 1745, substituting 'Queen' for 'King' where appropriate. On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.
British Anthem, God Save the Queen (with lyrics) - YouTube
Go to this page for an exercise.
GeographyEngland is the largest of the three political divisions within the island of Great Britain. Bound by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, England is no more than 29km from France across the narrowest part of the English Channel. Much of England is flat or low-lying. In the north there is a range of limestone hills, known as the Pennines, to the west are the Cumbrian Mountains and the Lake District.
The red deer is the largest mammal in England, and there are plenty of them (as well as fallow and roe deer) around. Foxes prosper, and if you're lucky you may see a badger or a hedgehog. Non-native American grey squirrels are forcing out the smaller local red variety. Rabbits are everywhere, while smaller rodents such as the shrew, harvest mouse and water vole are less common (but frightfully cute). England's only poisonous snake, the adder, is rare and protected. Birdwatching is a popular pastime in Britain, but while the numbers and diversity of coastal bird species do not appear to be in danger, the same cannot be said for other British birds - a number of species that were quite common only 25 years ago are rapidly dwindling because of habitat destruction.
England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the south-east and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time.View the website See photos here
ReligionThe official religion of England is Christianity, as practised by the Church of England (Anglican).
The Church in Wales is also Anglican.
In Scotland the official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Other Christians in each country also include the Roman Catholics and the Methodists.
Britain is a multi faith society in which everyone has the right to religious freedom. Although Britain is historically a Christian society, people are usually very tolerant towards the faiths of others and those who have no religious beliefs.
The main religion in Britain is Christianity Most Christians belong to the Church of England or the Church of Scotland. These are Protestant Churches. There are also many Roman Catholics.from this website
SportsMany of the world's famous sports began in Britain, including cricket, football, lawn tennis, golf and rugby.
England's national sport is cricket although to many people football is seen as the national sport. Football is the most popular sport. Some of England's football teams are famous worldwide, the most famous being Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.Cricket is played on village greens and in towns/cities.The rules of cricket became the responsibility, in the 18th century, of the Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC), based at Lord’s cricket ground in north London.
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in England, and has been played for hundreds of years.In the English Football League there are 92 clubs. These are semi-professional, so most players have other full-time jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people also play football in parks and playgrounds just for fun.The highlight of the English football year is the FA (Football Association) Cup Final each MayRugby originated from Rugby school in Warwickshire. It is similar to football, but played with an oval ball. The best rugby teams compete in the SuperLeague final each September. For many years rugby was only played by the rich upper classes, but now it is popular all over the country. There are two different types of rugby - Rugby League, played mainly in the north of England, and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, together with France and Italy, play in an annual tournament called Six Nations.
American Football derived from the game of rugby whereas baseball derived from the old English game of Rounders.
from this website
Tennisis also an important sport in England. Henry VIII of England was a big fan of this game.In England is also played an important tennis tournament wich is called Wimbledom.The first was played in 1877.
Now, try this quiz.
Cities
London houses important landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, the British Museum , National Gallery and Madame Tussauds Museum.
In Birmingham major attractions are Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Cadbury World, Midlands Arts Center and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
While visiting Manchester see Printworks Leisure Complex and Manchester Velodrome.
Coventry also provides a number of tourist attractions like Coventry Cathedral, Coventry Transport Museum, St. Mary's Hall, Holy Trinity Church and the Herbert Art Gallery.
In Liverpool, City Center is the hub of all cultural activities and houses major attractions. The World Museum Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and the
Metropolitan Cathedral are also quite popular.
York is a walled city,with a defensive wall, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The city offers a wealth of historic attractions, of which York Minster is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural and sporting activities.
York
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